Geoffrey Weill Associates has been appointed US public relations representative of Schloss Elmau, a breathtaking spa and cultural resort in the Bavarian Alps. Once characterized as “an Aman resort on steroids,” Schloss Elmau is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and is arguably both the most luxurious spa resort in Germany and one of the most unusual resort hotels in the world.
“Schloss Elmau is everything you wouldn’t expect when you hear the words ‘resort in Bavaria,'” says Geoffrey Weill, “there are no thatched roofs, no flower-filled window-boxes, no lederhosen, no Alpine cutesiness. Instead, you discover a world-class combination of Jugendstil and post-modern architecture, utter luxury, total understatement and casualness, extraordinary food, a cultural program that could shame many of the world’s most sophisticated cities — a paradise for families and couples, all set high in the Alps with a view of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain.”
Schloss Elmau is separated into two wings, a five-minute stroll apart. The original “Schloss” combines its original Jugendstil architecture with awe-inspiring 21st-century details. It contains 115 rooms and suites, five restaurants (one with a Michelin star), a kids’ club, the largest bookstore in any hotel in Germany, and the original concert hall. The “Retreat” opened in 2015 with 47 spacious suites, three restaurants and a gym and yoga pavilion. All told, Schloss Elmau has six separate and lavish spas, some for families, others for adults only, including one discreetly sited for nude bathing and sunbathing. Outdoor pools are heated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. There are year-round programs for children and teens, and copious opportunities for hiking, tennis and skiing.
The ambiance of Schloss Elmau separates it from every other spa resort not only in Germany, but in most of Europe. There is never a dress code, children are welcomed, and there is not a breath of enforced formality. Guests can relax in spacious lounges and order Dom Perignon and foie gras and, at the next table, their kids can play battleships and munch hot dogs. The goal is to provide guests with a carefree stay in an atmosphere of health, fitness, learning and cultural enrichment, with some 200 concerts and talks scheduled throughout the year. In 2015, the G7 met at Schloss Elmau with the participation of US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President François Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
The original Schloss was opened in 1916 as a cultural retreat by Dr. Johannes Müller (1864-1949), a renowned Protestant theologian and philosopher and has a rich and complex history. Today, the resort is owned and overseen by his grandson: entrepreneur, visionary and hotelier, Dietmar Mueller-Elmau.
Schloss Elmau is a sister hotel to the Hotel Orania.Berlin, a 21st-century hotel set in an art-nouveau landmark building in the hip Berlin neighborhood of Kreuzberg.
When you first step into the iconic hotel, you are met with fresh seasonal flowers, chandeliers, and the warm setting of pure luxury.
The Beverly Wilshire, built in 1928, is located at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in one of the most famous cities in the world. This timeless hotel has housed some of the most notable people and presidents, as well as being used as a shooting location for films and television series. The groundbreaking film Pretty Woman gave the Beverly Wilshire its most profound feeling of promiscuity and glamour.
The grand hotel of 14 floors includes 395 variety of rooms and 137 suites suited for whatever occasion or stay one is looking for. The rooms, some as casual as the Signature Balcony room or the One-Bedroom Rodeo Suite, is perfect for a getaway weekend with great space and comfort. Bathrooms are notable for the marble floors and adjacent glass showers. The hotel is classified as a wrap around with great panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and Los Angeles area. Although prices vary from date and size, the typical stay in a one bedroom suite is around one thousand dollars. For a longer stay, there are specialty suites like the Penthouse Suite or Presidential Suite, with a sentiment of royalty that includes multiple bedrooms and extensive dining rooms. Varying on the room, the impressive amenities include a round-the-clock concierge team and in-room dining. Also amenities include overnight shoeshine, complimentary newspaper, and much more. The team at the Beverly Wilshire works extremely hard to make your stay as charming and comfortable as possible.
Aside from the rooms, the hotel itself includes modern centers of activities and on-site restaurants. The chic spa that customers rave about offers every service you can think of like face and body treatments with five star treatments, even those specifically for men and kids. The modern pool is blue and beautiful, and for a bite or a glass of wine by the pool you can eat at The Pool Bar and Cafe overlooking the pool is the fitness center, to stay in shape and feeling your best, with an assortment of different state of the art machines and private yoga classes.
The onsite sleek restaurants, like the high ranking CUT by Wolfgang Puck has amazing reviews and ratings on their unique cuts of beef and seafood prepared in a live open kitchen. Our stay included handcrafted cocktails from the Cut Lounge, our favorites being Johnnie Walker Blue on the rocks and Sloppy Kisses. The Blvd inside the hotel is a perfect spot we had for brunch offering an original selection like the divine shrimp cocktail appetizer with Chilean sea bass and short rib patty Blvd Burger for lunch. With all the activities and dining, the Beverly Wilshire suits everyone.
As a result of the city’s location in the most glamorous city in the world, it is within an arm’s length of the affluent streets of Rodeo drive. Rodeo Drive is where you can find greatest brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Jimmy Choo. This street also offers the finest dining in the region, whether you are in the mood for Indian cuisine or a fine steak. The Beverly Hills atmosphere, with the Beverly Wilshire in the middle of it all, define what class and beauty look like.
Ranked in the top 10 of Los Angeles hotels, this five-star hotel is known for its excellent customer service at every part of the stay. Ratings from AAA give the hotel 4.8 outstanding diamonds for its customer service, cleanliness, and overall appearance. Travelers speak highly of the modern decoration and style of the rooms, floors, bathrooms, and amenities. Competitors do not come close to the extensive care and allure of what the famous hotel offers. The Beverly Wilshire is not just a hotel, but an enchanting experience for all.
Recently, 360 Magazine traveled to South Africa during one of the largest travel conventions on the continent. One hundred journalists from Northern America joined Indaba Media in celebration of Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday.
Nelson Mandela is respected as the “Father of the Nation.” He was an anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist, who served as President from 1994 to 1999. Mandela also served as the President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
Mandela was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His vision was to dismantle apartheid (a system of segregation based on race) by tackling discrimination and fostering reconciliation. Mandela looked ahead and realized the law must change in order for a better future. Twenty-four years after the corrupt system was terminated, South Africa has been in overdrive to establish a firm democracy.
Indaba Convention
The great city of Durban took the 360 team by storm with Indaba – a meet and greet of media and travel agents to express their lives views and attractions on what the city and South Africa has to offer.
Day one of the Indaba Convention, journalists met at the Maharani Hotel for an opening ceremony. Later, trade show floor booths opened for business at the Durban International Convention Center in addition to presentations from various industry professionals. During the press conference, it was said that the trip’s airline, British Airways would now offer direct non-stop flights between Heathrow Airport and Durban.
Indaba also touched on other tourist attractions. South Africa offers an unbelievable amount of restaurants, markets, bars and lounges, but take pride that they surpass expectations in their food & drink festivals. The Whisky Live Festival and South African Cheese Festival are two major events – just to name a few.
Human rights were another important topic discussed at the convention. The South African people continue to exuberate equality and fairness along with an effort to amend the ways in which the LGBT and minority communities are treated while traveling.
As the evening winded down, an opportunity for networking commenced. Soon after, journalists engaged in conversation while devouring traditional eats coupled with a small beer/wine reception followed by a brief fashion presentation.
On day two of Indaba, Durban Tourism celebrated a dinner cruise on La Vue Floating Restaurant. The 85-foot luxury catamaran (200-person capacity) features two amazing decks, two full bars and a dance floor. Cozy with great cocktails – it’s perfect for groups.
Durban
Durban’s population is just over 595,000. The metropolitan area has a population of over 3.8 million and is known for its golden beaches, relaxed surf culture and vibrant culinary scene (some of the best spicy curry dishes said to rival India’s). Culture stems from the blend of Zulu, Indian, European and remnants of British roots that make up the city’s diverse heritage. South Africa’s Station Drive Precinct, once a rundown warehouse district has been transformed to a major tourist attraction with exceptional fine dining, drinking and shopping. Thanks to a collaborative group of artistic individuals, businesses range from homegrown distilleries and breweries to local art galleries.I Heart Market is a good and design market held on the first Saturday of each month. Presented with locally produced goods and artisanal creations such as ceramics, crochet toys and original prints – shoppers will not be disappointed. Nearby tourists can partake in an exquisite gin tasting at Distillery 031 along with lunch at Lion’s Match Factory.
The feasting does not stop there – Durban’s own, House of Curries restaurant, blends bold Indian spices and flavors for extravagant curry dishes. House of Curries has been a staple on the Florida Road strip since 1999 and a perfect attraction for relaxation on their patio deck.
Much like a market, BAT Centre is a place where local artists and crafters work on-site, exhibiting and selling their works in a vibrant complex. This nonprofit arts center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and celebration of the visual arts, crafts, music, dance and literature of the Province.
Street art has found new life in redevelopment projects across various neighborhoods. These street artists were inspired by their surroundings with many exploring themes of politics and nature, all whilst using their work for social activism.
Travelers in search of nighttime adventures can visit Cubana Havana, a popular cigar/hookah lounge featuring handcrafted cocktails as well as a simple menu located on the highly revered Florida Road. Tourists shouldn’t miss Mahatma Ghandi Road in downtown Durban for an evening of fine music at a world – class Jazz bar known as The Chairman. Not only is there an assortment of signature cocktails and cigars, but also a gallery and sophisticated atmosphere that believes in justice for all.
Fun fact. Over 85% of all BMW 3 series vehicles are produced at the Rosslyn plant just outside of Durban and are shipped to various markets worldwide, including the USA, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Canada.
Johannesburg
The expedition kicked off in Johannesburg aka “Joburg,” (approximately 8 million in population and largest city in the country), the epicenter of South Africa who’s currently in a state of revival. The team then headed to Nelson Mandela Square, a must-see tourist spot. The campus includes the DaVinci Hotel, indoor and outdoor shopping malls, upscale boutiques, a movie theatre, grocery stores, restaurant/bars and a casino.
In order to achieve a local feel, stop by Neighbourgoods Market for purchases of South African eats and assorted libations distributed from multiple vendors.
The following day we departed for Constitution Hill and embarked on a full tour of the visitor’s center. Constitution Hill was former fort site transformed into a prison. “The Robben Island of Johannesburg” included notable prisoners Mahatma Ghandi, Joe Slovo, Bram Fischer and Nelson Mandela. Mandela was imprisoned for more than twenty years at this location. “As an African American being able to stand inside the actual cell of Mandela was life-changing. The dark, ominous confined space gave me a newfound appreciation of what it means to be free. No human should ever have to endure such injustice because they yearn for social equality and justice for all,” says Lowery, President of 360 Magazine.
Lunch at Lebo’s Backpackers Outdoor Restaurant was set outside in various cabanas at a local Soweto hostel within its community park followed by the Soweto Tuk Tuk Tour. The team enjoyed riding in these three-wheeled taxis, while sipping on craft beers and witnessing the city’s rich history. Stops included Vilakazi Street, where Nelson Mandela’s house still stands, as well as Hector Peterson Memorial.
Art lovers be sure to drop by CIRCA Gallery which stands beside Everard Read headquarters, parading some of the most important contemporary art collections from around the world.
With regards to nightlife, music lovers can head to Taboo Night Club andNews Cafe to discover local and international DJ’s. News Cafe combines its food, services and venue into a coffee bar, cocktail bar, restaurant and entertainment venue all-in-one. It’s the perfect destination for relaxation or clubbing with a modern aesthetic.
Cape Town
From Johannesburg, the voyage shifted to Cape Town, a world renown entertainment and prestigious modeling hub for some of the industries top talents. With just under 4 million in population, it’s considered the second most populous city in South Africa. The group checked in at The Table Bay Hotel and visited Nobel Square for a photo opportunity followed by lunch at V&A Waterfront’s The Yard Restaurant. Just adjacent in the Silo District is the highly acclaimed Zeitz Mocaa Museum. It exhibits twenty-first century contemporary art from Africa and its Diaspora with over 100 galleries throughout 9 floors, showcasing art from still photography to moving art installations.
Our local guide incorporated “Footsteps to Freedom” walking tour Mandela in Cape Town: From prisoner to President. “Dinner at Crypt Jazz Club was a personal favorite from the team as they feasted into the night while being enamored by some of the nation’s most prolific local musicians.
Table Mountain’s Cable Car Ride offers 360 degree spectacular views of the coastal town while being hoisted to the top. At the summit, clouds draped the surrounding view while journalists snapped selfies for Instagram. On the other hand, if winds are too strong for the cable ride, adventurers can hike alongside of the mountains during park hours to witness this landmark backdrop engulfed by condensation – similar in type to dry ice bucket. Just below, you can take in Bo-Kaap township, an area filled with colorful homes and cobblestone roads. Subsequently, lunch was served by famed chef Abigail Mbalo (from MasterChef South Africa) at 4ROOMED Ekasi Culture. She’s widely known to take indigenous delights and fuse them into gourmet bites fit for the Food Network. The day ended with a night of laughter at the Cape Town Comedy Club, a must-visit for all who enjoy pizzas infused with locally sourced ingredients coupled with barrel of laughs.
Port Elizabeth
At Port Elizabeth, history unfolded. In 1820, it was established to house British settlers and boasts a population of 1.3 million, as its now a part of the newly formed Nelson Mandela Bay. This Vegas-style resort town is home to Sun International’s The Boardwalk Hotel that includes tons of shops, eateries, bars and casinos within walking distance. Named The Public Art City Tour: Route 67, stops included a visit to Voting Line Sculpture and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum. Lastly, dinner at Asada/Fushin was a meal to remember. The restaurant fabricates South African fusion flare with scrumptious fresh seafood and sushi.
Within two weeks, we received a first-hand account of the history and culture behind Nelson Mandela and his legacy in South Africa. With an intricate four major city tour, we were able to experience an amazing arts and culinary scene in the ever changing country of South Africa. Given the plethora of outdoor activities, architectural gems, gorgeous landscapes and tender-hearted people, this destination should be at the top of everyone’s bucket list if it’s not already.
Swing into the stunning location of Michael Franti’s Soulshine resort and yoga haven in beautiful Bali, from December 8 – 15th and join us for My Life is Art leadership retreat – as we unwind at the end of this year.
This experience will bring together leaders from all walks of life in a diverse gathering of minds.
The My Life is Art program is designed for individuals and organisations who want to cultivate personal purpose and leadership.
“Purpose will push us beyond what we could possibly imagine and is the fuel that drives our passion. We can buy happiness but we cannot buy joy – joy comes through purpose. We will show you how.”
-Emmanuel Jal
Dates: Dec 08, 2:00 PM – Dec 15, 12:00 PM
Location: Micahel Franti’s Soulshine resort and yoga retreat – Bali
Soulshine Bali, JL. Ambarwati, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Seven nights accommodation at Soulshine Bali
Welcome Ceremony
Daily breakfast and dinners
Daily Yaya Classes – A fusion of Yoga, African Dance and Appreciation.
The Pyramid Principle – Each day you will work through 2 Pyramid Principles under the guidance of Emmanuel Jal
Daily Meditation
Daily Self Reflection
Daily Story Telling
Soul Sessions -DJ Pool Party- featuring Emmanuel Jal
Closing Ceremony
PRICING:
Resort Room (Twin Share) $2800 per person
Luxury Resort Room (Twin Share) $3300 per person
Luxury Pool Suite (Twin Share) $3850 per person
The My Life is Art Retreat will support you in
– Becoming the greatest version of yourself + teach you how to serve with greatness
– Living in your purpose to spark global conscious awakening
– Connecting to self + to community + to be in sync with nature
– Gaining tools you can use to own your mind
– Creating habits that support your journey to success
– Creating and building community with a diverse group of leading minds
– Supporting others in discovering who they are, what they are created to do
Through inspired collective conversation, personal purpose work, reflection through shared + thoughtful experience & skills building workshops, you will gain a renewed purposeful reason to live and to give.
Just show up.
Life after the retreat will leave you equiped with strong leadership skills that are paired with meaningful connections. you’ll be inspired to show up each and every day.
Emmanuel Jal is a former child soldier from South Sudan, turned international recording artist, activist, philanthropist and life educator. Jal’s vision is to share his experiences for social emotional learning through the Arts, Business and Philanthropy, in order to create a higher state of conscious global awakening.
The My life is Art principles and teaching are rooted in Jal’s own experience and ancient and modern teachings that have supported him in his own healing from trauma.
He now shares his learnings and methodology with others through workshops, speaking engagements and one on one sessions designed to help others free themselves from struggle, step into their leadership and find their purpose.
JEWS ARRIVED IN INDIA PRIOR TO THE CHANUKAH STORY: EXPLORE INDIA THROUGH JEWISH EYESTM WITH PACIFIC DELIGHT TOURS
Pacific Delight Tours continues its kosher “Jewish eyes” tours in conjunction with the Foundation for Remote Jewish Communities featuring its annual INDIA: My Second Home program, Jan. 16-29, 2019.
Few people know that the pepper found on your kitchen table comes from a pepper exchange in Southern India located in a place called Jewtown. While this label might be deemed offensive in modern Western society, to a 2,000-year-old Jewish community in India, the name Jewtown is a source of pride that honors the long history of Jews in India and the great contributions Jews have made to Indian society.
Tour participants will learn how this isolated Diaspora community has evolved in its own unique way. For example, Jews in India celebrate every Jewish holiday except Chanukah because their society pre-dates Chanukah. This and many more fascinating, little known stories of the Jewish experience in India will be discussed by Prof. Nathan Katz, one of the world’s foremost scholars on Jews in India.
Participants will have opportunities to meet and interact with India’s diverse Jewish communities in Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and
New Delhi and join Shabbat at the Judah Hyam synagogue in New Delhi as well as at Kenesseth Eliyahoo, also known as the Fort Synagogue, in Mumbai (pictured right), which dates back to 1884. Other historic synagogues include Kolkata’s 19th century Italian Renaissance-style Magen David synagogue and the historic Paradesi synagogue in Jewtown, constructed during the Mughal era in the 16th century.
The program visits the “must-see” sights of India such as the iconic Taj Mahal and Elephanta Caves, cruises Kerala’s scenic backwaters, peddles through Old Delhi and other UNESCO World Heritage sites via rickshaw, and features a private recital featuring traditional Indian music and dance.
India is known for its antiquity and spirituality, its cultural export dubbed “Bollywood”, and its contrast of bustling cities and pristine nature-a fascinating kaleidoscope that is the world’s largest democracy. “What is typically not known is India’s long history as one of the most hospitable homes in the Diaspora, without a trace of anti-Semitism,” said Prof. Katz.
“A Jew, Sarmad Kashani, was the most celebrated patron saint of 17th century Indian poetry. So too, Jews have been among India’s great mystics, taken center stage in Bollywood, served as mayor of major cities, and produced the country’s greatest military hero, General J. F. R. ‘Jack’ Jacob,” explained Prof. Katz.
India My 2nd Home features deluxe hotels such as Mumbai’s five-star Taj Mahal Tower overlooking the Arabian Sea. Other accommodations include the Taj Vivanta Malabar in Kochi, the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata, Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi and ITC Mughal Hotel in Agra.
The fully-escorted tour cost is $7,195 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes deluxe accommodations, all intra-India flights and transportation, the services of an English-speaking escort and local guides including acclaimed scholar Prof. Nathan Katz, most meals (kosher or strictly vegetarian) including memorable lunches and dinners with the Jewish communities in India, fascinating sightseeing and excursions, and exclusive cultural events not open to the general public. All gratuities to guides, drivers and hotel staff, as well as hotel taxes and service charges, are included in the package. International airfare, as well as passport and visa fees, are not included.
The tour cost includes a tax-deductible donation of $900 per person to FRJC, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit educational charity that is devoted to preserving and promoting the endangered Jewish communities on the periphery of the Diaspora, including India. Since its inception in 2003, FRJC has distributed more than $1.1 million for Jewish libraries, scholarships, and even sustainable farming projects. Learn more at www.frjc.org
Prof. Nathan Katz is distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Florida International University where he was director of Jewish Studies and founding director of the Program in the Study of Spirituality. He has written 15 books, including The Last Jews of Cochin and Who Are the Jews of India? A Fulbright scholar who has spent more than eight years in South Asia, Prof. Katz was delegate to the ground-breaking 1990 Tibetan-Jewish dialogue, hosted by the Dalai Lama, which was chronicled in the bestselling book, The Jew in the Lotus.
About Pacific Delight Tours
For 47 years, Pacific Delight Tours has been one of America’s leading tour operators to China and Asia. Among numerous industry awards, Pacific Delight is the proud recipient of theTravelAge West WAVE Award from 2008-2016, the 2009 Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Award, and the Travvy Award from travAlliancemedia for Best Vacation Packager, Asia for 2016 and 2017. The company is also a proud member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and its industry-leading $1 Million Bond.
Pacific Delight is dedicated to providing unparalleled vacation experiences for discerning travelers. Its long-standing reputation within the travel agent community is a testament to its unrivaled quality assurance, extensive expertise and customer service.
UNESCO has designated a series of sites associated with the checkered history of Christians in 16th- to 19th-century Japan as the country’s 18th World Cultural Heritage Site. The “site” is comprised of 10 villages in northwest Kyushu, as well as the ruins of Hara Castle – originally built by the Portuguese – and St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the city of Nagasaki.
Because the practice of Christianity was banned in Japan until 1873, Christians (known as Kakure Kirishitan) worshipped – and missionaries spread the gospel – in secret. It is the sites’ “secret” churches in remote seacoast “Christian” villages and isolated islands that are the main component of UNESCO’s recognition. The ruins of Hara Castle are another element, as it was used by Portuguese and Dutch missionaries.
One of the most visible examples of UNESCO’s designation is Nagasaki’s Roman Catholic St. Mary’s Cathedral – also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – built in 1914 after the ban on Christianity was lifted. The original cathedral was destroyed by the atomic bomb that fell on Nagasaki in August 1945 and a replica of the original was consecrated in 1959. Statues and artifacts damaged in the bombing, including a French Angelus bell, are now displayed on the grounds (and at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception). The nearby Peace Park contains remnants of the original cathedral’s walls. Oura Church is another Catholic church in Nagasaki. Built towards the end of the Edo Period in 1864 by a French missionary for the growing community of foreign merchants in the city, it is considered the oldest standing Christian church in Japan and one of the country’s greatest national treasures.
Historically, Nagasaki was long the initial entryway for foreigners to Japan. It was in Nagasaki in 1859, after the United States’ Commodore Perry used gunboat diplomacy to demand an end to Japan’s more than 200-year-old policy of isolation, that diplomats from countries around the world came to demand that the port be opened to trade. Thereafter, Emperor Meiji declared Nagasaki a free port in 1859. And it was Nagasaki that was the setting for John Luther Long’s 1898 novel, Madame Butterfly, which, in 1904, was transformed into an opera by Giacomo Puccini, and remains one of the world’s most beloved operas.
Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge,Panama’s newest luxury and adventure outpost, is getting ready to open its doors to guests in January 2019, but it’s already raising the bar for sustainable tourism in the region.
Located 20 miles off the coast of Panama, and with 9 stylishly-designed “casitas” sleeping up to 18 guests, the archipelago of 14 private islands covers more than 1,000 acres in the Gulf of Chiriqui. With approximately 75% of the archipelago consisting of environmentally protected areas, Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge protects the archipelago’s incredible beauty while offering guests a timeless, idyllic setting among one of the most pristine and diverse marine environments in the world.
“Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is located in an extraordinarily vibrant ecosystem with more than 750 species of fish and 128 species of plants,” said Sergio del Nunez Prado, Property Manager at Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge. “Designed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings with minimal environmental impact, Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge aims to preserve the rich biodiversity of the archipelago while connecting people with nature in its purest form.”
At the core of Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is a driving passion for the enjoyment and conservation of the archipelago’s natural resources, with a deep appreciation and respect for local culture and history. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are at the core of the facilities, infrastructure and operations of the property, from the use of solar energy to composting all organic materials and recycling water waste for irrigation use. Among the sustainability initiatives and programs implemented by the reserve are:
100% of energy consumption on island is powered by a 300-meter long solar array.
100% of guest water use is captured and reclaimed through a system that includes man-made wetlands, sand filtration system and infrared light process to provide surface irrigation.
100% of food waste are dehydrated and used for composting as fertilizer. There is no waste.
Guest facilities were constructed with certified sustainable wood, and interior woods were pressure treated with non-toxic boric acid. These high-quality materials and construction methods were used to maximize the life of facilities to reduce the frequency of future rebuilds.
No single-use plastic water bottles.
Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge aims to create a model for sustainable tourism by pairing exhilarating recreation and warm Panamanian hospitality with a strong ethos of environmental stewardship and community support. Understated and under-the-radar, Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is ready to welcome today’s most discerning and conscientious traveler, including couples, families and groups of friends seeking adventure and an intimate setting where no detail has been overlooked.
For more information on Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge please visit: www.islassecas.com
ABOUT ISLAS SECAS RESERVE & LODGE, PANAMA: Officially opening in January 2019, Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge is a new and exclusive property located on its own archipelago of 14 pristine islands in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Panama. The secluded retreat will sleep 18 people across four casita sites with of 9 luxury guest rooms, providing the perfect springboard for marine and land adventures in this lesser explored part of Panama. The interiors were designed by renowned interior designer Tom Scheerer and built to reflect the island’s surroundings. Facilities include the Terraza, offering local cuisine, a Hemingway-style lounge and bar and a Dive Center. 2019 will see the addition of a resort pool and a Field Station, while the 2020 season will see the completion of a Wellness Pavilion and a 4-bedroom Villa Residencia with a private swimming pool.
London’s Milestone Hotel & Residences, has this month revealed two newly reimagined suites, part of a process of elegant refurbishments that elevates its multi-award-winning accommodations to new heights, with some of the most exquisite hotel rooms in London. The reopening of two suites is part of a three-year refurbishment program of this landmarked Victorian mansion that is a stylish and chic sanctuary for 21st-century travelers known also for its warm and generous service.
Each suite boasts an enviable view of Kensington Palace and Gardens, offering a panorama that is every bit as impressive as its interior. Like all sister properties within the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, The Milestone’s unique style reflects the rich history of its building and environs. The visionary design team – headed by the Collection’s founder and president, Beatrice Tollman, and her daughter Toni Tollman – blended bespoke furnishings from master craftsmen and artisans, fine antiques, and carefully chosen objects d’art to create some of London’s most stylishly decorated accommodations.
106 Grand Master Suite
Striking the perfect balance between preservation and transformation, The Milestone Hotel’s Grand Master Suite – affectionately known as “The Hermès Suite” – blends strong mid-20th-century design with the building’s historic architecture. The result is a place of timeless elegance.
Carefully selected pieces of original period furniture harness the glamour of the room with an iconic bronze four-poster bed at its center. The room is distinguished by a vintage collection of Hermès scarves, elegantly framed and presented on luxuriously upholstered white velvet walls. Twelve-foot coffered ceilings give the sensation of endless space, and magnificent floor-to-ceiling lead doors frame the suite’s private balcony, overlooking Kensington Palace and the Gardens that surround it.
The blend of timeless design and architecture with modern comforts and the hotel’s unrivaled hospitality establishes The Milestone’s Grand Master Suite as one of the very finest hotel accommodations in London.
The Meghan Suite
For this suite, Beatrice and Toni Tollman worked with master craftsmen and artisans to create a tribute to the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
The suite’s elegance is accentuated by an exquisite 18th-century ebonized French bureau plat, Giacometti-style chairs and original contemporary art on its walls. A vast black-and-white marble bathroom is set behind majestic bronzed mirrored double doors, and the suite’s handmade Savoir bed, is surrounded by custom-designed Indian silks, all enhanced by views through three large windows of Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace, the new home of the American-born Duchess of Sussex.
The Meghan Suite
General Manager of The Milestone Hotel & Residences, Andrew Pike, says: “I am tremendously proud of The Milestone’s two beautiful new suites. Our hotel is a historic London landmark and provides a rich cultural backdrop for The Milestone Hotel & Residences’ future. Mrs Tollman and her outstanding design team have created timeless accommodations with classic elegance. Twinned with our award-winning service, we are offering the discerning traveler some of the very finest luxury accommodations in London.”
The launch of The Milestone’s new suites is complemented by the unveiling of six fully refurbished residences that provide the perfect home-away-from-home for business travelers, longer stay guests or families, in the heart of Kensington, London’s “most desirable village,” an upscale neighborhood minutes from the West End.
ABOUT THE MILESTONE HOTEL:
The award-winning Milestone Hotel is the London flagship of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Also a proud member of the Leading Hotels of The World, the five-star Milestone Hotel is a quintessentially English property in the heart of London boasting luxurious suites and spacious long-stay residences, fine British dining in Cheneston’s Restaurant, charming public areas and an award-winning Afternoon Tea menu. This property occupies a prime position with beautiful views over Kensington Palace and Gardens and located just minutes from London’s museum district and glamorous shopping area of Knightsbridge.
ABOUT RED CARNATION HOTELS:
Red Carnation Hotels is a collection of 17 family-run, award-winning boutique hotels in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA. Each hotel is a landmark of history and tradition, with an exceptional reputation for exquisite fine dining, leading spas and sumptuous surroundings. Great pride is taken in delivering warm, thoughtful and highly personalized service
Mojo Nomad Central – a ground-breaking concept designed to turn the traditional hotel model on its head- will open this September on Queens Road Central in the heart of Hong Kong. The property is the second to open from theMojo Nomadbrand, Hong Kong’s first hotel concept with shared working spaces, and a member of the Ovolo Hotelsgroup.
“Following the unprecedented success of Mojo Nomad Aberdeen, on the western shore of Hong Kong Island, we’re excited to unveil a second Mojo Nomad property in Hong Kong, this time in the city’s bustling Central District,” says Girish Jhunjhnuwala, the visionary behind the Mojo Nomad concept, and founder & CEO of Ovolo Hotels. The edgy, design-driven concept draws on the hotelier’s desire to make a difference. “We are giving modern travelers access to a multi-use space where they can be productive, collaborate, seek adventure and experience new things,” continued Girish.
The first of its kind in the region, the Mojo Nomad concept combines a mix of designer rooms, from private to accommodation options for families, groups and friends, paving the way for a new type of value-driven design hospitality. Mojo Nomad’s communal spaces encourage guests to connect with new people and ideas, tapping into a thriving demographic of explorers and addressing the changing demands of the ever-evolving traveler.
The new Mojo Nomad Central offers a total of 56 guest rooms ranging from size S to XL; two of the property’s rooms will offer shared accommodations. Adhering to the brand’s commitment to integrating the latest in technology and design, each room is equipped with multiple USB and traditional plug sockets, as well as international adapters. Shared rooms are fitted with individual televisions and Bluetooth headphone capabilities, as well. A flexible-use space on the property’s second floor will offer a refreshment bar and shared kitchen with additional working and lounge areas. On the third floor, the gym offers TRX equipment, punching bags, yoga mats and more.
A two-story Mexican eatery, Te Quiero Mucho, will serve share-style plates and margaritas alongside a broad selection of artisanal tequilas. The bar, which also serves as the hotel’s reception desk, is decked out with eye-catching neon.
“Our inspirational new hotel collection is designed for those seeking a better way of living. At Mojo Nomad, guests are able to unite around common interests and enjoy a unique style of community living, which values openness and collaboration without compromise. Whether your stay be long or short, you’ll be a part of our community,” concluded Girish.
Ovolo Hotels is an independent hospitality company that owns and operates a collection of individually designed hotels. Founded in 2002, the company now runs four hotels in Hong Kong and six hotels in Australia, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. Ovolo also recently launched a new brand, Mojo Nomad, in Aberdeen Harbour, Hong Kong. Mojo Nomad is a cohabitation concept for global nomads that combines travel, lifestyle and community at its core and will be entering the Australian market in the near future.
ABOUT MOJO NOMAD
Established in 2017, Mojo Nomad is a community for global travelers who seek a new way of living. The brand’s vision is to establish a global brand that will consistently go beyond traditional hospitality concepts which allows residents to live, work and travel in an effortless home-feel environment. The Mojo Nomad micro-living hotel concept offers collaborative and fun environments that expose its residents to new people, new ideas and new experiences. Mojo Nomad strives to encourage residents to be active creators and unite them around a common interest to share space, resources, and activities, ultimately inspiring them to contribute creatively and intellectually to the world around them.
The Dairy Queen® System Expects a Blizzard of Miracles on August 2
DQ® hosts 13th annual Miracle Treat Day to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®
WHO: Participating Dairy Queen®and DQ Grill & Chill® locations throughout the United States
WHAT: Will help make miracles for hospitalized children during DQ®’s 13th annual Miracle Treat Day, when $1 or more from every Blizzard® Treat sold at participating locations will be donated to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMN Hospitals). CMN Hospitals raise funds to help save and improve the lives of kids treated at 170 children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.
All donations collected on Miracle Treat Day stay in the communities in which they are raised to support pediatric patients and their families in local CMN Hospitals.
WHEN: All day Thursday, August 2, 2018
WHERE: Visit MiracleTreatDay.com for the nearest participating Dairy Queen or DQ Grill & Chill locations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The featured Miracle Treat Day “Blizzard of the Day” will be Oreo®, which is still the most popular Blizzard Treat to date. The Blizzard Treat of the Month for August in the U.S. is the new TWIX® Blizzard Treat. All other Blizzard Treat flavors are also available that day.
During a 34-year partnership with CMN Hospitals, the Dairy Queen system has raised more than $135 million for local hospitals.
For more information about Miracle Treat Day, visit MiracleTreatDay.com and connect on social media at #MiracleTreatDay.
About Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals:
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
About IDQ:
International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 6,700 locations in the United States, Canada and more than 25 other countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire. For more information visit DairyQueen.com
